Valparaiso Man Faces 10 Child Pornography Charges

A Valparaiso man faces numerous child pornography and child exploitation charges following an Indiana State Police investigation. Michael Tichenor Jr., 33, is accused of contacting juvenile boys through popular social media sites and having inappropriate sexual interactions with them.He also traded nude images with them, according to investigators.

Tichenor was arrested yesterday after officers executed a search warrant at his Valparaiso home. He’s charged with eight counts of child pornography as a Level 6 felony and two counts of child exploitation as a Level 5 felony.

Investigators with the ISP Crimes Against Children Unit urge parents to talk to their children about online dangers, spend time with them online and learn about their favorite websites. The computer should be kept in a common room where it is visible to a parent or other household member. Parental controls provided by an Internet service provider or offered through blocking software should be used as well. Parents are also advised to randomly check their child’s online accounts and email.

Officers stress a child is a victim if he or she is involved in any form of sexual exploitation and is not at fault. Parents should contact their local police department immediately.

WKVI News Director Mary Perren is glad to be back home in northern Indiana and on the radio. She’s a North Judson native with more than 20 years of news experience. She’s worked in print and radio news in Indianapolis, Hopkinsville, Ky., Nashville, Tenn. and most recently in Winamac before taking over as news director for Kankakee Valley Broadcasting in February of 2013. Her work has been honored by the Associated Press, StateNets News Association, Curb Foundation, Hoosier State Press Association and IBA. When she’s not sitting in the anchor chair or chasing down news, Mary enjoys shopping for antiques, attending concerts and taking long walks and rides in her vintage Saab convertible, weather permitting. She’s also a hopelessly devoted Chicago Cubs fanatic who still cringes at the mention of Steve Garvey and Josh Beckett and maintains it wasn’t Steve Bartman’s fault.